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Other => General Topics => Topic started by: Goomish on July 14, 2004, 01:52:01 PM

Title: Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: Goomish on July 14, 2004, 01:52:01 PM
First of all: @RejZoR - AEC is a very nice (hmm... maybe even excellent  ;D) piece of software.
But I have some, let's say, remarks:
1. If the program must be in setup wizard like form please add a button "Back to task list" or something like that. It's very annoying (IMHO) run it again and again when you need/must perform several task aone by one
2. While #1 is a little wish from me this one is more important: When AEC tries to "call home" - Visit Security Ops webpage it shold launch default browser, not IE Some of us don't want to use IE especially after latest "discoveries" ;D concernig IE safety...
Regards, goomish
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: RejZoR on July 14, 2004, 01:59:43 PM
Thanks :)

Hehe i'm still working on first part. Not quiet sure (yet) how to make that AEC doesn't exits after each command. Yeah i know its annoying even to me ;D I have some ideas,but nothing realized yet :)

About second part. The whole idea of running in IE is that its due its nature of the page. It works fine in all browsers,but most of services on the page depend on ActiveX (almost all On-Line antiviruses+some online anti-spyware sites),so i choosed IE as default viewer for security-ops page.
You can still add this page as bookmark in your favorite browser to use it regulary with Jotti and RAV/KAV scanner which doesn't require ActiveX.
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: MikeBCda on July 14, 2004, 06:36:59 PM
Hehe i'm still working on first part. Not quiet sure (yet) how to make that AEC doesn't exits after each command. Yeah i know its annoying even to me ;D I have some ideas,but nothing realized yet :)

Hi RejZoR,

My "programming" experience is strictly in high-level languages (particularly dBase) so might not be adaptable to your project.  But typically I'll set up an application in the following format.  And any good DOS batch file follows essentially the same layout.

(Begin loop)
display menu
get menu choice (which can include exiting)
specific sub-routine based on choice
loop back to top
(end of loop)

Obviously you're more skilled than me in your particular area, and as I said it might be totally alien and hence not adaptable.  But maybe it'll trigger a useful intuitive flash for you?

Best,
Mike
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: Staind on July 14, 2004, 10:59:11 PM
It'd be nice if after the program has completed it's task, instead of closing to the desktop brought you back to the menu page.
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: Lisandro on July 15, 2004, 02:56:51 AM
It'd be nice if after the program has completed it's task, instead of closing to the desktop brought you back to the menu page.

I've asked this before but RejZoR said me it won't be possible  :'(
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: .: Mac :. on July 15, 2004, 03:54:59 AM
It'd be nice if after the program has completed it's task, instead of closing to the desktop brought you back to the menu page.

I've asked this before but RejZoR said me it won't be possible  :'(
Yes RejZoR does not know programming language. I could code the program for him in Cocoa but then it would only run on Mac OS X and thats not very useful. Mabye le Doc could code it in Java?
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: techie101 on July 15, 2004, 04:25:38 AM
Rej,

Are you saying that the Utility requires Active X to function?  I could not get the Avast Ext. Ctl. to work with my Win98....but I have IE Active X shut down.

What do you think is the problem?
It is a great utility which works fine on my XP but I really want it on my Win98 as well.

Techie
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: bob3160 on July 15, 2004, 04:43:30 AM
Hi Techie101
You might have to update that old 98 to XP
Not a big deal, just hang a sign on it afterward  Win98SE_XP! ;D
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: rloschmann on July 18, 2004, 12:14:45 AM
It'd be nice if after the program has completed it's task, instead of closing to the desktop brought you back to the menu page.

I've asked this before but RejZoR said me it won't be possible  :'(
Yes RejZoR does not know programming language. I could code the program for him in Cocoa but then it would only run on Mac OS X and thats not very useful. Mabye le Doc could code it in Java?

Well of course i could do that but i'm already on the tweaker project and i don't want (not able) to "drive" many projects at a time. The second on my list is a query from Sasha for a "quick launch task bar". Well this one could be third on my list if RejZoR is still blocked on the "restart" problem and if he wants to share his work. Don't forget that AEC is his baby   ;)
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: RejZoR on July 18, 2004, 07:19:51 AM
Hehe i was on vacation last week and and i got some pretty ideas.
Close after every function might be fixed,also settings for proxy (Updates) and some other things.

The problem is that i have to rewrite most of the scripts so it will take time.
I'm also thinking about removing some not so used functions like Launch avast! Log Viewer/Chest and Optimization wizard. After some testis i found out that its useless lol :) I'll also move Status check page into function menus (because of the restart fix).
Oh and AEC doesn't require ActiveX :)

When i release this fixed version it will most probably be marked as version 2.0 :)
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: Lisandro on July 18, 2004, 03:08:48 PM
RejZoR...

1. proxy (Updates) > Thanks.

2. removing some not so used functions like Launch avast! Log Viewer/Chest and Optimization wizard. > Why? Can't it be there in a sub-menu?

3. Status check page into function menus (because of the restart fix) > Thanks.

4. AEC doesn't require ActiveX :) > Nice!
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: RejZoR on July 18, 2004, 03:42:49 PM
Also status check page will be copy&pasteable (like current File Compare function),so others will be able to easily copy the info and paste it on forums for fast troubleshooting.
I'll reconsider those features,but Optimization Wizard will be removed,thats for sure. After in-depth tests i found that files are optimized even if they are running in background.
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: Lisandro on July 18, 2004, 03:54:45 PM
Optimization Wizard will be removed,thats for sure. After in-depth tests i found that files are optimized even if they are running in background.

Well, if you say so... never minds, take it away  8)
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: bob3160 on July 18, 2004, 04:13:19 PM
Hi RejZoR,
Here are my 2 cents worth and of cource you can take it just for that.
The additions you mentioned will be greatly appreciated. The items you intend to remove, will be sorely missed.

Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: .: Mac :. on July 18, 2004, 04:34:13 PM
Quote
When i release this fixed version it will most probably be marked as version 2.0
Woah. At that speed you will run out of version numbers  ;D
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: RejZoR on July 18, 2004, 06:03:14 PM
Hehe don't worry about version numbers :)
It will be v1.5. Its still a huge version jump,but i think it will be worth it.
Version number looks similar to avast! 4.5,but it will be (hopefully) released much sooner. avast! 4.5 compatible version will be released few days after its release i guess since i have to see what new tricks/features will be used.

Anyway first barrier was destroyed a few minutes ago when i sucessfully tested the return to beginning loop,so program doesn't exit after every function anymore(gets you back on function selection list as long as you don't use Quit button :) ). Proxy settings will be a bit harder,but nothing i can't handle :)
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: .: Mac :. on July 19, 2004, 07:32:09 AM
Quote
Anyway first barrier was destroyed a few minutes ago when i sucessfully tested the return to beginning loop,so program doesn't exit after every function anymore(gets you back on function selection list as long as you don't use Quit button  ). Proxy settings will be a bit harder,but nothing i can't handle  
Where there is a will, there is a way
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: RejZoR on July 19, 2004, 09:29:50 AM
I sent the developer BETA version to Technical so he can test proxy settings for me. The hardest part was this proxy menu and some functions that prevented me to make a loop back to selection list. On some i improvised a bit,but i think it won't be too annoying :)
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: RejZoR on July 20, 2004, 12:39:29 PM
Ok i tested proxy stuff on my emulated machine and it worked just fine,so i released AEC 1.5 :D
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: bob3160 on July 20, 2004, 04:01:56 PM
Thanks RejZoR
It's in my OuickLaunch toolbar.
Lot's of new goodies...
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: KezzerDrix on July 20, 2004, 04:56:23 PM
what are you using c++ ?

Personally I like visual basic better.  Just choice preference.  Even though I think c++ is a more powerful language.   But, I am lazy and VB does so much of the coding for you  ;D


Java in my opinion is intriqueing, but I have no desire to learn more than advanced Java in college.  Perhaps the new tools they are developing will help bring them back.
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: RejZoR on July 20, 2004, 05:19:46 PM
I didn't use any known programming language :P This programming language is known as HISL (highly improvised scripting language) ;) and uses the installer core to render all those menus and run all those scripted commands :P Its hard to belive what you can make with installer program doesn't it? :P
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: KezzerDrix on July 20, 2004, 07:17:04 PM
YIKES! spagetti code  :o

You are lucky it works at all  ;D

seems fine though.

 ;D ;D hisl  ;D ;D indeed.  NO OFFENSE, You are pretty talented to create what you have with what you had.

you make me LOL.
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: RejZoR on July 20, 2004, 07:34:33 PM
And what spagetti with bologna souce ;) If you'd open the "source code" in a "compiler" you'd be terrified. Hundreds of lines just for one page that displays.

Here are some sample screenshots from my every day work on AEC:

Screenshot of selection list editor:
(http://freeweb.siol.net/razor256/images/AECProject/AEC_selectionlistmenus.png)
Screenshot of display pages controls:
(http://freeweb.siol.net/razor256/images/AECProject/AEC_displaypages.png)
Tweaker scripts(only part of it):
(http://freeweb.siol.net/razor256/images/AECProject/AEC_tweakercode.png)
External Boot-Time scan function script(only part of it):
(http://freeweb.siol.net/razor256/images/AECProject/AEC_boottimecode.png)
Norton 2004 Cleaner(only part of it):
(http://freeweb.siol.net/razor256/images/AECProject/AEC_nav2004removercode.png)

I did learn some VB,but everything seemd so comlicated and it would took me hours just to make some simple command. With this installer core i can make extremely complicated commands connected in a chain with changeable variables in a matter of minutes.
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: KezzerDrix on July 20, 2004, 08:16:25 PM
I was wondering why it was so difficult to make the program loop back to the menu.  I almost offered to help, :o  OH! so glad I didn't now. :P I would have immediatly regretted that decision.  Yes, VB would seem more difficult at times; but, would make some things easier.  It seems as if you are simply manipulating code that is already there, nothing wrong with that, don't get me wrong.  But, you could sure "snazzy" it up, interface wise, if you converted it to VB. 8)

p.s your pictures didn't post, I would love to see them.
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: RejZoR on July 20, 2004, 09:39:37 PM
How you mean they didn't ? They are there i'm 150% because i see them. Host is not some cheap crap like yahoo that has hotlinking blocked so this is not the problem.
I posted them this way,because i couldn't attached them to so many posts...
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: bob3160 on July 20, 2004, 09:52:04 PM
RejZoR,
So do I. Amazing, that it all works so perfectly.  ???
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: KezzerDrix on July 20, 2004, 10:18:34 PM
YIKES! man easy does it.  My work blocks certain ip ranges it must be blocking your pictures.  Remember, I asked you to email the power defrager because of this?

No probs.
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: RejZoR on July 20, 2004, 10:46:43 PM
Send your stupid ISP where sun doesn't shine. You have right to see whatever you want. Damn i hate idiots that block content just because of certain thing. Mine is probably because i have freeweb word in host name (its not even free,i pay it monthly along ADSL line bill).
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: .: Mac :. on July 21, 2004, 07:01:24 AM
oh and Kezzer, FYI, My iPod-Dag program is also created useing the setup factory 6. Windows version that is.
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: Lisandro on July 21, 2004, 01:55:50 PM
I sent the developer BETA version to Technical so he can test proxy settings for me. The hardest part was this proxy menu and some functions that prevented me to make a loop back to selection list. On some i improvised a bit,but i think it won't be too annoying :)

I'm feeling stupid... I cannot found the proxy menu. I cannot configure the IP and port...  ::)

Edit: I found the answer and post it here (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=3021;start=105#lastPost)
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: RejZoR on July 21, 2004, 02:01:28 PM
Here it is:
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: RejZoR on July 21, 2004, 02:01:46 PM
And submenu:
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: RejZoR on July 21, 2004, 02:03:51 PM
Oh and get yourself latest version from my website. Your BETA is marked as version 1.5 so it shows like its up to date where its not. I have done lot's of things after i sent you the beta. Upper images taken from AEC 1.5 Final.
Title: Re:Some comments on Avast! External Control utility
Post by: Lisandro on July 21, 2004, 11:00:57 PM
Thanks RejZoR. I already updated from the web and got the AEC 1.5 final (I suppose)  8)